Socceroo midfielder Brett Emerton is out to show English premier league clubs what they missed out on when he takes on their best in Australia's international against England on Thursday morning (AEDT).

Emerton was last year repeatedly linked to a big money move to several premiership clubs including Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal but all backed out after baulking at the price asked by his Dutch club Feyenoord.

The 23-year-old knows a good showing at Upton Park will make them think again.

"It was disappointing I didn't get to go to England because it's been a dream of mine since I was a young boy," Emerton said.

"It's important I go out and perform well, if I do so I think the opportunity could be there to move abroad in the future."

Although he has been consistent for Feyenoord and has been nominated for UEFA's team of the year, he seems frustrated by his defensive role at the club rather than the attacking job on the wing he'll have for Australia against England.

"I've been playing more defensively than I would like. So I enjoy coming here and playing for the national team as I get the chance to play in the position I'm best at," he said.

Coach Frank Farina was still waiting on the fitness of key man Harry Kewell before finalising his starting side.

A tight hamstring has kept Kewell out of Leeds United's last two matches but Farina said he trained well today and joined the squad for the first time this week after some sprint sessions with the physio.

"He looked good and pulled up very, very well, no problems as he did the other day, he went through a heavy workload of runs and sprints," Farina said.

"If there was a big risk, there's no way we'd take it, but things are going OK."

Farina said Josip Skoko had fully recovered from his corked calf.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP